The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27
The NntlonnI I.engun.

WASHINGTON, March 26.-N. X.
Young, president of the National
League OF Baseball Clubs, was inter-
viewed by an Ass ociated Press re-
porter today on tn outlook for the
approaching campaign. This season,
Mr.. Young thinks, will doubtless be
the most interesting one since the for
mat on OF the League In 1876. He ss-
signs for this belief various reasons.
Frat. the clubs Of the parent organ.
iEAtion ere more equal in playing
strength than they have ever been be-
fore.
Second, almost every team has ae.
cured at least three or four young and
ambitious players. who have made
good records in the minor q sociatione,
but whose ability in the League ia
problemstical and therefore al I'M
known quantity.
Third, the new rules adopted by the
League at lite fall meeting were so rad
jcsl-no! 10 say revolutionsry-that
their effects on the players will be the
subject of much speculation snd COM
ment rs to which players will bs bene-
flied by them, and whom they will
most iniure. The batting this season,
he says, will To much harder aud
more long h.t5 will be recorded
than since the primitive days OF
straight pitching; and while this
will naturally tepd to make the
contests moro Interesting and exciting
to the spectators, it will a'so ptolong
the gamoe very considerably. The
very tiresome pitcher aud catcher"
games, which occurred too frequently
last season, viii not he in order this
year. 1t wss principally for this rea-
son, he says, that the rules were
amended and so many restrictions
placed up On the pitcher. A game I'M
der the nsw rules, Mr., Young con-
tends. In which a pitcher can hold ali
opposing team down to Eve bass hits,
will bs as rare aud considered as
marvellous this season as enc In which
q pitcher retired on opposing team
with one base hit last season.
"Do you anticipate any trouble with
the new rulesP" asked the reporter.
81 do not These rules were not
formulated until they were thoroughly
discussed in all their bearings by the
managers aud the moet prominent
players in the profession. OF course
Il ey will he experimental TO a certain
extent. bu! they are in many respects
superior 10 the old rules, and will con-
dnce very materially to make the con-
tests moro exciting and attractive. II,
however, after a satisfactory trial they
should prove failuye-which l do
I ~ n All INTW l.,
changed by special meeting OF the
League Committee, which has full
power t. make whatever changes
may he deemed expsdient. Mr., Young
declined to express an opinion as 10
which club would win the champion.
ship pennant, on the ground that
hls position WAS a neutral one, and
should he pat himself on record rs an
advocate of certain club, IL might
orSRte dissa ,iSfsction. The Washing
ton club, he says, has made create
Improvement during the winter
months than any other League club,
and he expects to see 1t make good
record this season. Mr.. Young has
received and approved the following
contracts with players: With Wash
ington-Fred L. Shaw, VIM. 0'Brien
and ]. b. Donnelly.IWith New York
NJ. 2. Dorgap aud VIM. Brown, With
70. HOUSED L. Fouts and r. @.
Oaruthers. w IN Indianapolis-- Jerry
Denny end p. Oihill. The Philadel-
phia club has notified Mr.. Young of
the rslea,e by that club of J. Murphy
aud j. f.. Dallas. The Kansas City
club HIS been admitted to member
ship IN the Western League.